I've got a 2001 4cyl in pretty good condition (bought used). I'm a pretty good wrench and do a lot of my own work. I would really like to get a limited slip installed, but have never worked on a differential or rear axels before.

How many times do I have to reiderate myself about this subject. You CANNOT POSSIBLY do this swap if you have NO KNOWLEDGE of axles. The comeplete axle has to be dissasembled and the ring/pinion has to be re-set. If you are NOT FAMILIAR with the terms backlash and carrier shim and pinion depth tool, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS!

YOU WILL grenade your axle.

It costs MORE to buy a L/S, Have someone install it for you and put the old axle back in than it is to go to a JY and get a new axle with a L/S. It will be TRIFOLD more expensive. Next time, please use the search function as I personally can vouch for covering this subject multiple times.

I can have an axle PULLED for me with a limited slip AND w/e gear ratio I need (up to 4.10) for under $200 WITH all brakes AND e-brake cables. Now, think about this.

The only argument I might have against the above (I do agree generally in concept) is for Rangers with rear discs. Those might be hard to come by in a junk as of right now.
For my '98, a junk yard swap is exactly what I plan to do. For the '11, a limited slip install is probably more practical.

They'll be hard to come by ANY time, bc ranger's never came with rear discs...

Now, if you wanna disc 8.8, they're plentiful enough behind the explorers but like I've said in many threads, welding is involved. Spring perches need to be welded on (with proper pinion angle) and shock mounts need to be welded on (in proper location AND angle)

They'll be hard to come by ANY time, bc ranger's never came with rear discs...

Now, if you wanna disc 8.8, they're plentiful enough behind the explorers but like I've said in many threads, welding is involved. Spring perches need to be welded on (with proper pinion angle) and shock mounts need to be welded on (in proper location AND angle)

I wasnt trying to question you brinker but I do thank you for the advice. I plan on buying the whole,axle anyway. But finding one with a good diff inside. Plus I have a 2wd so will a fx4 model be a bad buy for that

They'll be hard to come by ANY time, bc ranger's never came with rear discs...

Now, if you wanna disc 8.8, they're plentiful enough behind the explorers but like I've said in many threads, welding is involved. Spring perches need to be welded on (with proper pinion angle) and shock mounts need to be welded on (in proper location AND angle)

Then I have some really wierd looking drums on the back of my 2011. That must be a massive cooling fin then...